AMA to Review Sunbeam Endorsement Pact

Sunbeam Corp.’s exclusive marketing agreement with the American Medical Assn., which lets the company use the group’s symbol on its products, is being reviewed by the association after it drew widespread criticism. Consumer and watchdog groups worry that the endorsement, unveiled last week, will detract from the AMA’s reputation as an unbiased source of medical information. The nation’s largest doctors organization will announce sometime this week its decision on the five-year agreement. The deal marks the first time the AMA agreed to put its seal on specific commercial products. The products were to carry a proclamation that the organization and company have joined together “to bring you products specially designed for healthier living.” Critics called the agreement flawed because only one company was involved and because the AMA would not test the products. In exchange for letting Sunbeam use its logo on goods including blood pressure monitors and thermometers, the AMA would receive a percentage of sales.